Taser used on violent patient at Russell hospital
Man, 43, assaulted doctor, nurses and a young girl, say RCMP
CBC News
Posted: Jan 2, 2013 4:43 PM CST
Last Updated: Jan 2, 2013 7:46 PM CST
Health officials and RCMP are investigating Tuesday's incident at the Russell Health Centre, in which a 43-year-old man allegedly assaulted some staff and patients and threatened others. (Google Street View)
Hospital officials in Russell, Man., are reviewing security procedures after a patient allegedly became so violent with staff and other patients that he had to be subdued with a stun gun.
Russell RCMP were called to the local health centre at 5 p.m. CT Tuesday on reports that a 43-year-old man was threatening staff and patients.
The man had gone to the hospital "seeking medical treatment for unspecified injuries sustained in an early morning snowmobile crash," police said in a news release Wednesday.
A doctor and two nurses were in the middle of treating the man when he attacked them and left the room, according to police.
RCMP also allege that the man attacked a young girl and chased another child in the hospital.
As well, he threatened some elderly patients and others, according to police.
The patient remained "extremely violent" until an RCMP officer used the Taser on him. He was not seriously injured by the stun gun, according to police.
Counselling being offered
The hospital staff and patients who were involved in Tuesday's incident are being offered counselling, according to the Prairie Mountain Health Authority.
"There was no serious physical injury … that doesn't speak to the fact of how traumatic these things can be for all involved," Penny Gilson, the health authority's chief executive officer, told CBC News.
Gilson said she has launched an investigation into what happened, and security procedures at the hospital are being reviewed.
She said the review will look at, among other things, "how do we review our security measures and associated protocols and procedures to make sure that if, unfortunately, another situation like this were to happen, we can maintain safety?"
A number of charges are pending against the man, who is from Waywayseecappo, Man. He remains in custody. RCMP did not release his name.
Investigators are trying to determine a motive for the incident, but police say substance abuse is considered to be a contributing factor.
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